“But God…”

by Tyler Andrews, first year resident

Have you ever listened to someone share a testimony before a baptism, around the closing campfire, or during your small group? Did they ramble on for ten minutes only to mention God or Jesus once, if at all?

You’ve probably been guilty of it at some point yourself.  It’s human.  We start off with intentions to glorify God, but instead digress into a story that glorifies someone else.  Worse, sometimes it only glorifies us!  Testimonies can quickly become biographies, and we rarely even realize it.

We need training in how to speak about God’s work in our lives. Ephesians 2:1-6 gives us a helpful outline.

My Problem → “But God…” → God’s Provision

My Problem: In verses 1-3, there’s a problem.  In short, “You were dead in (your) trespasses and sins,” and as a result you “were by nature children of wrath.”

“But God…”: This is the turning point of the story of the Bible and of your story of becoming a Christian.  These are the two words that change everything.  Despite human sin and the resulting brokenness, God intervenes.  He intervenes in human history by sending His Son Jesus.  He intervenes in the story of your life by graciously displaying His mercy and great love to you.

God’s Provision: Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God and raised to life.  He gives grace.  He provides hope and recovery in times of despair.

We can apply this outline on two fronts.  First, you can use it when sharing how you became a Christian.  Second, you can use it to share how God is providing for you in your everyday life.

So here are two examples:

• Problem: I was trying to live up to God’s expectations through religious activities and good deeds, only to constantly fear that I would ever do enough.
• But God showed me that through Jesus’ death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead, I can have His righteousness. I don’t have to manufacture my own.
• God’s Provision: I am saved and I have hope because Jesus gives it to me.

—

• Problem: I was overwhelmed by feelings of rejection after my fiancée broke off our engagement.
• But God reminded me that in Christ I am chosen.  God used my friends at church to help me work through my painful emotions.
• God’s Provision: I know He will never leave me.

When sharing your testimony or a good report at small group, make it about God.  Use God’s name more and your name less.  Make Him the hero.  Train yourself to give Him the glory by speaking about His work in your life. Not your pastor’s work, not your friend’s work, not your work, His work!  Remember the Ephesians 2 formula:

My Problem → “But God…” → God’s Provision